Xion Lopez says Transgender Day of Remembrance is a bittersweet experience. As the names are called and candles lit, she says she feels, “so many mixed emotions — a lot of fabulous comes into my heart just hearing those names. I don’t forget any of them but to hear those names again is just a very emotional process.”

Lopez is co-planning this year’s event, slated for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge Street, NW). As a young trans woman herself, Lopez says it’s important for the community to “remember those sisters who no longer have a voice — it’s a very important day for me.” Visit theindc.org for more information.

Lopez, 21, grew up in Washington. She previously worked at Transgender Health Empowerment but now volunteers there since she couldn’t be both a client and employee. She started earlier this year as an intern at HIPS (Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive) and this week became its interim office manager. She has family here but is not in contact with them.

Lopez is single and lives in Deanwood. In her free time, she enjoys movies, being social, activism, performing and “me time — no hair, no makeup and just being centered.”

How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?

I had to come out twice: at 13 as a gay male and 19 as a trans woman. The hardest person to tell both times was my mother.

Who’s your LGBT hero?

Debbie McMillian, the CRC specialist at Transgender Health Empowerment. For those of you who don’t know Debbie, make it a point to reach out and take in her awesomeness!